Respiratory disease in the donkey

Abstract

Summary The donkey suffers from a similar range of respiratory diseases as the horse; however, there are a number of subtle variations, knowledge of which can influence the success of treatment. As an animal adapted to a semi‐arid terrain, there are variations in physiology, anatomy and disease susceptibility. The nonathletic nature of the donkey means that delayed presentation is common with many diseases and, while there may be enhanced resistance to some transboundary and parasitic diseases, there may be equal or increased severity of illness to some endemic diseases, e.g. equine influenza. Donkeys frequently live to geriatric ages and the clinician should be aware of the increased risk of conditions such as tracheal collapse, fibrosing pneumonia and neoplasia in this age group. As with any condition that causes stress and inappetance, respiratory disease in the donkey may be complicated by hyperlipaemia and good nursing care is an essential component of treatment.

Donkeys Are Different

“…Respiration rate and character are easily affected by temperature and workload and should be judged in light of these factors. Of note is an apparently less developed cough reflex seen in the donkey when compared to the horse [46]. …”

Eşeklerde Solunum Ultrason Pletismografisinin Gözlemlenmesi Üzerine Bir Çalışma

“…Of note is the apparently less developed cough reflex of donkeys compared with horses [4] . This blunts signs of pulmonary dysfunction and impedes rapid diagnosis.…”

Donkey Internal Medicine—Part II: Cardiovascular, Respiratory, Neurologic, Urinary, Ophthalmic, Dermatology, and Musculoskeletal Disorders

“…The specific anatomy of those arteries in donkeys should be carefully studied before arterial coil embolization. Other respiratory clinical differences between both species are caused by their dissimilar behavior and attitude, for example, their insensitive cough reflex compared with horses [27]. Because donkeys are markedly stoic and rarely intensely trained, clinical signs are noticed later, and early diagnosis due to poor performance is rare in donkeys.…”

“…Congenital defects of the upper respiratory tract have been reported in donkeys, such as choanal atresia, laryngeal deformities [30], and cleft palate [27].…”